Are Mums Still Alive?

This is a wintered-over mum getting new spring growth. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

”Charlotte, I took your advice and planted some mums from my neighbors. They look dead now. How can I tell if they are still alive?” — Noreen

Are Mums Still Alive?

Hi Noreen. Once the mums are planted, make sure to add a little leaf mulch around the base to keep new growth protected.

You won’t see much through winter but keep them moist, at least one gallon per plant per month.

I tend to peek into the centers late winter hoping to see some early sign of green growth. Even a tiny start will flush out into a new plant with the growing season.

This sliver of a mum will grow into a new mum plant. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Also don’t cut off the dead flowers and stems, those will protect the new growth through winter and early spring. I depend on those old tops to guide me to where a new mum should be growing.

Use dead mum stems to guide you to find new growth. (Charlotte Ekker Wiggins photo)

Once you see new growth, keep them watered until they’re about 4-5 inches high. Then pinch off the top growth every week or so until July 4 to keep the plant bushy.

I take those cuttings and gently plant them in nearby soil to start new plants.
Charlotte